The total of wild bee types in European nations confronting dying out has over doubled in the last ten years, and the count of at-risk butterfly species has almost doubled.
This critical situation for crucial pollinators was revealed by scientific assessments for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which found that at least 172 bee species out of 1,928 were threatened with extinction in Europe.
The count of butterfly species facing extinction in the European continent has risen from thirty-seven to sixty-five since the last study, performed a decade and a half ago. A single species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
Apart from their beauty and cultural significance, pollinating insects like bees and butterfly species are lifelines for our well-being, our food supplies and our economies – maintaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that sustain us,” stated the IUCN director general. “The most recent assessments of the European red list reveal serious challenges, with threats growing for butterfly species and crucial native bee varieties.”
The causes of the swift recent drops are the continuing harm or degradation of natural habitats caused by agricultural intensification and abandoned land, draining wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the application of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoids. The division of pollinator-friendly habitat significantly raises the risk of local extinctions.
Climate change is also shown to be a major threat: 52% of all at-risk butterflies in European nations are imperilled by the climate change crisis – roughly twice as many as a previous decade.
Up to 90% of blooming plants in European nations depend on animal pollination, as stated by Dr Denis Michez. “Regrettably, non-managed bee groups are in drastic decline and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If native bees disappear, many non-cultivated plants might be in danger as well – of which bloom-filled grasslands and beautiful orchid species are just a few examples.”
Fifteen species of bumblebees, which play a crucial role in aiding the pollination of legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee species, recognized for aiding tree pollination such as willows along with red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee found only in the continent and the only species of this biological genus in Europe, is now assessed as critically endangered – the scientific category closest to extinction in the wild.
Butterflies that are only found on mountain tops are highly susceptible to climate change as they have to climb upward as their habitats become warmer but eventually run out of space. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (only found in Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, varieties such as the highly at-risk grayling of Karpathos are endangered by extreme wildfires and drought.
In the meantime, in the Arctic Circle, global warming is resulting in the tree line to advance northwards by tens of metres each year, with scrub encroaching on bog and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean caribou can not anymore cross the frozen water to feed on Arctic grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight types of butterflies are facing extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The biggest living space for all these pollinating insects is grassland rich in flowers and that is disappearing very fast throughout the European continent because of all these elements,” stated Martin Warren. “The encouraging aspect is that so many people are aware now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all member countries have to reverse the decrease in pollinating species by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are property owners who are involved. It is hoped they can receive the motivations that will support them on their way.”
As per Martin Warren, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of steps for pollinating species which will not decrease agricultural output – and could improve it – such as farmers developing bloom-filled edges around their cultivated areas.
EU commissioner for environment, portrayed the preservation condition of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “dire”.
“Prompt and unified steps is necessary to tackle this threat. Along with participating nations, the European Commission has established an European Union-wide observation system for pollinating species based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will help to track our progress. Now, we need to focus on application and partnership with member states to preserve our pollinators,” she said.
The release of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the first EU-wide assessment of hoverflies, an additional vital pollinating insect category. Issued in 2022, it showed that 37% of all hoverfly types in European nations were threatened with extinction.
